What became of the C.L. Johnson's 'real Indian tomahawk' and mysterious bottle?

Indian brave with tomahawk.

While preparing this week’s news flashback feature, I ran across an unusual item that was originally published in the April 3, 1941 edition of The Monroe Journal. In that week’s paper, under the front-page headline “Tomahawk Found In Johnson House,” readers learned that “a real Indian tomahawk” and a mysterious bottle had been found between the walls of the C.L. Johnson house at Franklin. These two unusual items were found by Francis Johnson and J.T. McArthur, who were wiring the house for electric lights.

“The tomahawk was found when a hole was cut in a baseboard for a receptacle,” the newspaper reported. “A bottle was also found but was too large to be removed through the hole. The house was built more than 100 years ago and members of the family have no idea who could have selected this hiding place for his weapon and bottle. Francis says he may decide to wreck the house and get that bottle for he is convinced that whatever it contains has plenty of age.”

A close reading of this short news item and a little research were quite revealing. First, I believe C.L. Johnson to be Charles Langdon Johnson, who was born in January 1843. He went on to serve in the 42^nd Alabama Infantry Regiment during the War Between the States. He lived to the ripe age of 72, passing away in November 1915, and was buried in the River Ridge Cemetery at Franklin.

More than likely, the Francis Johnson mentioned in the story was the Francis Johnson who ran an agricultural supply store in Monroeville years ago before going to work for Liberty National. If this is the same Francis Johnson, his tomahawk discovery came about three months before he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps and went on to serve in the 24^th Combat Mapping Squadron in the China-Burma-India theatre of operations during World War II. He passed away in 2006 and is also buried in the River Ridge Cemetery.

As best that I could determine, the J.T. McArthur mentioned in the story was John Thomas McArthur, who was born in 1903, making him about 38 years old in 1941. He passed away in Miami at the age of either 62 or 63 in 1966. He’s buried in the Hillcrest Cemetery in Monroeville.

For folks unfamiliar with tomahawks, they were single-handed axes that resembled a hatchet. In prehistoric times, the heads of these axes were usually made of stone, but when European settlers arrived on the scene, iron and steel heads began to appear on tomahawks. For the most part, tomahawks were general-purpose tools, but were also used in hand-to-hand combat.

The bottle found by Johnson and McArthur may have been what old-timers called “witch bottles.” These old bottles were often filled with nails or other items and placed inside walls or buried near hearths to supposedly fend off evil spirits. Another practice similar to this was the hiding of shoes inside of houses as protection against ghosts and witches. Shoes were commonly hidden under floors, inside walls and in attics in the old days for this superstitious purpose.

In the end, we’re left with a lot of questions. Where was the C.L. Johnson house and does it still stand today? What became of the tomahawk found in 1941? What was inside the bottle behind the wall? If anyone in the reading audience can shed more light on any of this, please let me know.

Century-old news highlights from April 1923 editions of The Wilcox Progressive Era in Camden, Ala.

Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass.

Today marks the first Thursday of the month, so it’s time to take another trip back down memory lane for a look at some of the interesting things that happened in Wilcox County a century ago, way back in April 1923.

In the April 5, 1923 edition of The Wilcox Progressive Era, publisher Stanley Clifford Godbold reported that the “Confederate Pensions are being delivered this week, and several of the out-of-town vets are calling in person for their vouchers, among their number being Col. Julius E. Barnes, Major Bill Reaves, Capt. Joseph Wright and Sgt. Kindred Partin.”

Also that week, readers learned that “Mrs. Desmond Cain has an up-to-date single comb white leghorn poultry farm at St. Martin’s Plantation, Catherine. She has already over 500 chicks and several electrical incubators in operation. Mr. Cain raises all the food for them on the place.”

In the April 12, 1923 edition of The Progressive Era, under the headline “BREWERIES DESTROYED,” it was reported that “Deputy Sheriff Tait captured two shinny stills near Arlington on April 11. Jesse Houston had a complete outfit, set up, full of beer and ready to run. Also a quart of the finished product. Arlilian Drawhorn seemed to be in the business in a wholesale way, as five cans were found at her house that showed to have been used in making ‘nose paint’ together with a 50-gallon barrel of beer, which was found buried in her garden.”

Also that week, it was reported that “R.H. Bussey, Sam D. Moore, R.E. Maughon and son of veteran R.L. Hawthorne are attending the Confederate Reunion at New Orleans.”

In the April 19, 1923 edition of the newspaper, it was reported that “Mr. D. Gaston Wilkinson, one of the State Highway Engineers, passed through Camden Monday enroute to Escambia County, where he has charge of the road building project from Brewton to Flomaton. Mr. Wilkinson is a resident of Gastonburg and well known to the people of Wilcox County.”

Also that week, readers learned that “Mrs. S.J. Ervin and son, S.J., and Mrs. M.E. Curtis motored to Selma Monday and met Hugh, who is taking a Ph.D. degree at Harvard this year. He is one of Wilcox County’s finest young men, and we are all proud of the excellent record he has made. He will be at home with his family for a week.”

In the April 26, 1923 edition of the paper, it was reported that “a good-sized civil docket was disposed of during the week. The case Monday of McDuke Stallworth v. Usrey Lumber Co. for $20,000, in which a great deal of interest has been manifested, went off the docket for failure to get a proper service on defendant.”

Also that week, readers learned that “Mr. R.E. Lambert of Darlington had on exhibition at the courthouse Monday one of his fine and large Hereford Poll Bulls, also specimens of the various clovers he raises on his up-to-date stock and seed farm.”

Well, I guess that’s all that space will allow for this month. On the first Thursday of next month, I plan to take a look at the events of May 1923 in Wilcox County. Until then, if you get the urge to research the county’s past yourself, take advantage of the Alabama Department of Archives and History’s excellent selection of old newspapers on microfilm and other resources. Their friendly staff will be more than happy to get you started.

Wilcox County, Alabama News Flashback for April 5, 2023

Sam Davis of Tennessee

80 YEARS AGO
APRIL 1, 1943

NOTICE: Dale Lodge No. 25, A.F.&A.M., will hold its regular meeting Monday night, April 5, 1943. All members are urged to attend. – W.L. Albritton, Secretary.

The hunters are after the gobblers like the U.S. soldiers are chasing the Desert Fox in Tunesia. Judge Ervin Dunn, Pat Nettles, S.J. Ervin, Bill Dannelly, Tip Martin, Beck Kennedy and J.W. Curry were credited with outsmarting the “Old bird” during the week. One big Tom pecked the sight from the gun of W.E.B. (Edwin) Riggs and went on his way rejoicing.

Dr. K.A. Mayer of Lower Peach Tree was a visitor here on Monday. He had with him a large, 19-pound wild turkey gobbler that he had killed that morning. Dr. Mayer is considered one of the finest turkey hunters in this section.

PINE APPLE: The marriage of Miss Mabelle Hale, daughter of Mrs. B.F. Hale of Pine Apple, and Harris D. Huggins of McKenzie, Alabama, stationed with the Army Air Corps at Williams Field, Arizona, took place at the home of the bride, March 22, with the Rev. J.B. Jackson, pastor of the Baptist Church, officiating. Relatives and close friends witnessed the ceremony.

Arlington: Lt. Cecil Agee, who has been stationed at Muskogee, Okla., left Friday for Fort Benning, where he has been transferred. His wife will remain here for several months.

Senator O.D. Carlton of Thomaston visited Camden friends on Sunday.

90 YEARS AGO
APRIL 6, 1933

There will be an Easter Egg hunt Thursday the 13^th on the Beck lawn for the benefit of the Auxiliary of the Irby Savage Post No. 84, American Legion. Admission with permission to hunt, five cents; cones, five cents. Candy and peanuts will be sold too. Come and bring all your children.

Joe Miller Bonner Admitted To Bar: Joe Miller Bonner of Camden, Ala. was one of the successful applicants to pass the State Bar Examination.
Mr. Bonner is a graduate of Erskine College and attended Cumberland University Law School.
We congratulate Joe on behalf of his many friends and wish for him a successful career in his chosen profession.

CHILDHOOD MEMORIES OF PROMINENT CITIZENS OF HALF A CENTURY AND MORE AGO – Walter Tate – Walter Tate – Walter Tait was a tall slender man with dark hair and a long flowing black beard. As we remember he sold life insurance and married the accomplished Sallie Sterritt who was the daughter of Judge Sterritt who built and lived at the place that was the home of the late Richard McWilliams. He was a man of gentle manners and a kindly heart and was good to the little folks. For some time we think he held some clerical position probably clerk in the Probate Office. While he had several children we think that his wife died early in life and Mr. Tate left here and went to Pensacola, Fla., where he lived to a very old age and was judge of the Probate court there for many years. – “SIXTY”

100 YEARS AGO
APRIL 5, 1923

BASEBALL SCHEDULE FOR WILCOX COUNTY HI TEAM: The following is the schedule for the High School team, Camden, Alabama: April 5, here, Pine Hill; April 6, here, Selma; April 13-14, here, Thomasville; April 20-21, here, Grove Hill; April 27, Selma (at Selma); May 4, pending; May 18-19, Grove Hill (at Grove Hill); May 25-26, Thomasville (at Thomasville); June 1-2, pending.

The Friday Afternoon Club has elected its officers for next year, which are as follows: Mrs. John Miller, president; Mrs. R.L. Spurlin, vice president; Mrs. Hayden Jones, secretary-treasurer; Mrs. Earlie Barrett, corresponding secretary; Mrs. J.M. Bonner, librarian; Mrs. Alice Foster, critic.

FOR SALE: Store House and lot, 60x120 feet, on Union Street. Upstairs now occupied by me as dwelling. – F.G. BOYD

The Grammar School closed its public session on March 30. The children had two days holiday before the private school opened. The private school opened April 4 with the same teachers and under the management of the same trustees.

The town was enlivened by the presence of the college girls and boys for Easter. Misses Eleanor and Francis Stucky, Helen Burford, Addie Lee Farish, Helen Boykin and others.

Mr. C.A. Skinner has purchased the Camden Shoe Surgery from Julius Alford and will take immediate possession of same.

110 YEARS AGO
APRIL 3, 1913

Rev. Charles M. Beckwith, Bishop of Alabama Diocese, delivery a very able discourse on Infant Baptism on his annual visit here Monday night. Franklin King Beck, the little son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank K. Beck, received baptism.

At the recent depot fire, a great deal of win and beer, as well as some John Barley corn, disappeared before or after the flames.

The Sam Davis Charter Chapter of the Children of the Confederacy will meet with the Secretary James T. Beck Friday afternoon at 3:30 o’clock. Each member is to bring a short sketch of the life of Sam Davis for whom the Chapter is named and competent judges will decide which is the best. Those who failed to pay their dues at the previous meeting must do so at the one.

Major E.N. Jones Jr., who has been stationed at Fort McPherson, Ga., has been appointed on the General Staff of officers and ordered to report for duty at once in Washington. This appointment is a distinct honor to this young Wilcoxian and shows in what esteem he is held.

Mr. R.L. Spurlin has been appointed on the county board of education by State Supt. Willingham to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of Mr. E.S. Farish. The appointment is for the unexpired term and ends in August 1916. Mr. Spurlin is interested in education and will make a useful member of the board.

Dewberries are blooming plentifully and the prospects for a large crop is good.

121 YEARS AGO
APRIL 3, 1902

The L.T.C.’s gave a dance last Monday evening which was very much enjoyed. Besides being largely locally attended there were also present Misses Atkinson and Bryant of Canton Bend, Dr. and Mrs. R.O. Semmes of Rock West and the Misses Stallworth and Messrs. Fox and Lambert of Beatrice, Monroe County.

The new Pine Hill Lumber Co., which had just gotten under good headway cutting 40,000 or 50,000 feet of lumber per day, was destroyed by fire last week.

On Saturday afternoon the ladies of the Methodists Church gave a successful egg hunt in which most of the little people of the town participated. Ice cream was served and sold rapidly.

Messrs. Burney of Thomasville and Boltz of this place are actively at work getting ready to make brick here. There is nothing Camden is more in need of than some good brick buildings, and now that good brick can be had at a very reasonable price, we hope to see the town take on new life. Mr. Burney, who is also a contractor, seems to be a straight-forward, most estimable man, and we are glad to note that he contemplates making this his home.

A beautiful Easter service was held in the Episcopal Church on Sabbath morning. The pastor, Mr. Cassell, conducted the worship. The music was unusually sweet and appropriate, and the decorations would be hard to surpass, in taste and beauty. A large congregation was present.

Mrs. J.N. Miller will give an “At Home” Friday evening from four to six in honor of Mrs. Bell Packer, which will be the social event of the season.

The Evergreen Courant's News Flashback for April 4, 2023

SIX YEARS AGO
APRIL 6, 2017

Local weather reporter Betty Ellis reported 1.65 inches of rain on March 30. She reported a high of 86 degrees on April 2 and lows of 49 degrees on March 31 and April 1. Total rainfall for March 2017 was 4.06 inches.

Monday storm ravages county: Heavy rains and high winds roared through Conecuh County on Monday and kept local firefighters busy for hours, clearing roadways and streets of downed trees and other debris.
According to Evergreen Fire Chief Ricky Nobles, Evergreen firefighters responded to numerous reports of downed trees throughout the city on Monday.
“It was a rough day,” Nobles said. “In fact, I’d say in all my years firefighting it was one of the worst, if not the worst, as far as reports of downed trees on city streets and power lines.”
As of Tuesday afternoon, city fire officials had not finished tabulating all the service calls they were dispatched to on Monday, many of which occurred at the same time.

The Evergreen-Conecuh County Chamber of Commerce presented Alabama Refrigeration with the Chamber’s Business of the Month Award for the month of March last Thursday at the company’s office at 109 Mimosa St. in Evergreen. Pictured at the award presentation are Chamber representative Carol Hamrac and Alabama Refrigeration’s Troy Whitworth, John Paul Deason and Jason Johnson.

31 YEARS AGO
APRIL 2, 1992

Local weather observer Harry Ellis reported 0.01 inches of rain on March 25 and 0.08 inches on March 28. He reported highs of 73 on March 27 and March 29. He reported lows of 35 on March 23 and March 24.

Southern Pine selects 1992 candidates: Each year Southern Pine Electric Cooperative sponsors two students from area high schools to receive a one-week, expense-free tour of Washington, D.C. These two students are selected from 26 students participating from 13 area high schools.
The candidates for the tour consists of one boy and one girl who are selected from the 11^th grade class of each school by the faculty and administrators of that school. Candidates representing Hillcrest High School are Eleanor Ruth Robbins and Kevin L. Tullis. Candidates representing Sparta Academy are Michelle Pate and Trey Coker.

Millender takes turn as commission chairman: Leonard Millender, county commissioner of District Five, has been chosen to replace Commissioner Hugh Barrow as chairman of the county board.
The decision was reached Tuesday during the board’s regular meeting. Commissioner Barrow served six months as chairman of the board.
Chairman Millender is a native of Conecuh County, graduating from Evergreen High School and Alabama A&M. He is an active member of the Union Baptist Church, where he serves as chairman of the Deacon Board, adult Sunday School teacher and church treasurer. He is a 32-degree Master Mason, serves as chairman of the Conecuh-Monroe Community Action Agency Board and is a member of the Auburn Extension Advisory Board.

56 YEARS AGO
APRIL 6, 1967

City Council votes to extend city limits: The Evergreen City Council has approved the extending of the city limits of Evergreen. The council voted Tuesday night to extend the limits one-half mile on both the east and south and one mile on both the west and north.
State Representative William D. Melton will be asked to introduce the measure in the regular session of the legislature which convenes on May 2.
Joe B. Nix Jr., city attorney, is now preparing the legal notice containing a legal description of the property to be annexed for publication in The Courant which is to begin next week. State law requires publication of the legal notice for four weeks before local legislation can be introduced.
If the extension is approved, the city will be four miles square (containing 16 square miles), running exactly four miles in all four directions. Also, the limits will be squarely on section lines. At present, the city is 2-1/2 miles square (containing 6.25 square miles).

Robbers net $5,960 from Union Bank: The Union Bank of Repton was robbed Tuesday night, the third time in less than four years. The loss this time was small, some $5,960, all in coins. President A.E. Kelly said the loss was fully-insured.
The robbery was discovered early Friday morning. The robbers apparently broke into the bank sometime after dark Thursday. They pried open the rear (side) door to gain entry. They then knocked a hole into the rear wall of the vault.

81 YEARS AGO
APRIL 2, 1942

Lenox Man Found Dead In Woods: The lifeless body of Edward William Smith, age 67, was found near his home at Lenox at six o’clock Tuesday morning, after he had left his home the day before about 12:30 o’clock. There was no evidence of foul play and it is thought that death resulted from a heart attack.
Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at two o’clock at Ramah church conducted by Rev. Cleve Ellis with Cope Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Masons had charge at the grave.

ODD, BIG TURNIP GROWN BY SAM P. POWELL: An unusually large and at the same time a very odd kind of turnip specimen was brought to The Courant office the past week by Sam P. Powell, farmer living in the Fairfield community. Apparently the turnip was twins, having two tops and two tap roots but otherwise it had developed into a very smooth, normal looking turnip, except for the fact that it was tremendous size.

Mrs. H.L. Finklea’s numerous friends will be glad to know that she is doing nicely after undergoing a minor operation at Carter’s Hospital in Repton Tuesday.

Mass Meeting Program Planned: The county wide mass meeting which has been scheduled to be held at the courthouse Wednesday night, April 8, is expected to bring citizens here from all parts of this county. J.O. Brooks, who as chairman of Civilian Defense for Conecuh County, called the meeting for the purpose of organizing local citizens for an all out war effort. He has enlisted the support and cooperation of virtually in the county to assist with the meeting and to help further the organization.

The Evergreen Courant's Sports Flashback for April 3, 2023

20 YEARS AGO
APRIL 3, 2003

Council helps Sparta pay for new gym roof: The Evergreen City Council voted Tuesday night to give $10,000 to help Sparta Academy pay off an outstanding debt for the replacement of the roof on their gymnasium. The donation will be contingent on City Attorney Todd Watson assuring the council of its legality.
Wilbur Baggett, one of Sparta Academy’s long-time supporters, came before the council to explain the school’s plight. Baggett told the council the school was forced to make an emergency roof replacement on the gym after basketball season began.
The materials for the roof was discounted for the school and the labor for the installation was donated by Samuel Skipper Construction. The school has raised $12,000 through donations toward the cost of the roof but is still approximately $10,000 short.
Councilwoman Maxine Harris asked if they were aware of any other cities making donations to private schools in the past. (Sparta Headmaster Wayne) Hammonds told the council that most every school they play in athletics has advertising from local municipalities and the city has purchased an ad from Sparta each year in the annual.
(Councilman Lynn) Blackmon made a motion to give the money to the school and his motion was seconded by Councilwoman Joye Fordham. The motion passed unanimously with everyone voting for the motion. The council approved the request from the school to purchase a full-page ad in the yearbook for $250.

35 YEARS AGO
APRIL 7, 1988

Johnny Bartlett of Castleberry bagged this “Tom” last Thursday morning near Sandcut. The turkey weighed 16 pounds and had a 9-1/2 inch beard and 1-1/8 inch spurs.

RODEO IN ANDALUSIA: The Andalusia Civitan Rodeo will be April 29th and 30th at 7:30 p.m. at the Covington County Fairgrounds. Advance tickets are on sale from Andalusia banks and Civitan members.

HORSE SHOW: There will be a horse show at Pineywood Farms Saturday, April 16th at 11 a.m. Directions-Turn South on Century Road 65 off Highway 84 between Opp and Andalusia.

50 YEARS AGO
APRIL 5, 1973

Four members of Evergreen High School’s outstanding basketball team have signed scholarships with Jefferson Davis State Junior College in Brewton. Shown with Jeff Davis Coach Frank Cannon are Leamon Jones and Willie Locke, David Carroll and Wavie Ausby. The Aggies were Region 1 champions and were not beaten until the semifinals of the State Class 3A Tournament. Coach Cannon said: “We feel that these four boys will definitely be an asset to our basketball program. Especially important is the fact that they are winners and know what it takes to win. These signees, along with some others that we expect to sign in the near future, could give Jeff Davis its best basketball team ever.

Men’s softball league meets Tuesday night: A meeting of the Evergreen Men’s Softball League will be held Tues., April 10, at 7:30 p.m. at the Conecuh County Courthouse. All teams from the county who want to enter the league must be represented and all men who want to play must attend.
The league hopes to have more players so that more dependable teams can be formed. All interested persons are urged to attend this organizational meeting.

Horse show set at Lyeffion Arena Sat., April 14: The Lyeffion Saddle Club will have a horse show on Sat., April 14, beginning at 5 p.m. The arena is located one mile south of Lyeffion High School. There will be no admission charge. Barbecue will be sold.

65 YEARS AGO
APRIL 3, 1958

Aggie Baseball Team Plays Next Tuesday: The Evergreen Aggie baseball team, under the direction of Coach Jeff Moorer, is busy readying for their first game of the season with Lyeffion next Tuesday, April 8.
Working on the mound for the Aggies are Ken Tucker, Bill Ivey and Howard Claybrook. One the receiving end are Billy Melton and Billy Grace. W.A. Pate and Robert Ellington are candidates for the ‘hot corner’ and Don Pate and Billy Bateman are fighting for the shortstop slot. Bill Ansley, Heywood Williamson and Gerald Howington are second basemen. The four first-sackers are Dale Wiggins, Cleveland Brown, Bill Ivey and Ken Tucker.
Twelve men are working in the outfield, they are: Byron Warren, Leland Burgess, Johnny Lewis, Robert Daniels, Elvin Higgins, Howard Claybrook, Leon Stinson, Connie Rigsby, H.W. Ward, Tal Stuart, Andy Moses and Ken Tucker.
Several men are being rotated and used in utility roles with Ken Tucker leading the list by working at three positions.
Last, but not least, an important man to any sports team, the manager, is Bonner Ridgeway.
Work is rapidly being completed on a new baseball field at the new City Recreation area. When the field is completed, the Aggies will play their home games there.

A mass meeting of all officials of the Evergreen Junior Baseball League and parents of boys who plan to play in the league this summer has been called tonight. The meeting will be held in the auditorium in the new courthouse addition at seven o’clock.
Byron Warren, league vice president, who will preside over the meeting in the absence of the President Aren Bolton, who said the meeting might be termed a ‘public relations affair.’ Its purpose is to explain the junior baseball program and role that managers, players, parents and spectators have in it.
Mr. Warren said that application forms have been given to the parents of boys planning to play. He said that a parent or the guardian, must complete this application, sign it and bring it to the meeting tonight in order for a boy to be eligible to participate this summer.
Morris Thornley, chairman of the league committee in charge of the pancake supper held Friday night, said today that the affair was a success in every way. He expressed thanks to all who purchased tickets to the event and said the league is especially grateful to those who contributed the food.

80 YEARS AGO
APRIL 1, 1943

BOY SCOUT NEWS: We held our regular meeting last Monday night at 7:30. We played a game of “Capture the Flag,” the winning team receiving two points each on the contest. The meeting was opened with the 12 Scout Laws. During the next two weeks points for passing tests will be doubled in the contest. All scouts interested in passing tests should meet at 3:15 Thursday afternoon at the grammar school. The meeting was closed with the Scout Oath.

Old newspaper excerpts from The Monroe Journal newspaper of Monroe County, Alabama

USS Mobile Bay

36 YEARS AGO
APRIL 2, 1987

Balloon from Arkansas: Jamie Lowe holds a balloon and note he found in his parents’ cow pasture last week. The balloon traveled over 450 miles from Lonoke, Ark., since early March after being released there by a primary school student named Kim Bryant. Jamie and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Larry Lowe of Pleasant Hill, plan to write Kim a letter including a map of Alabama with a circle around where they live, so she will know how far her balloon traveled. Mrs. Lowe said she and her husband looked at a map and estimated that Lonoke is about 20 miles from Little Rock.

Tigers claw Williamson; record now 6-5: Monroe County High School’s baseball team split a doubleheader with Andalusia Thursday and defeated Williamson twice Saturday in Monroeville to move its season record a notch above the 500 mark.
(Top MCHS players in those games included Derrick Black, Sidney Carmichael, Cedric Hollinger, Randall Johnson, Torey Kimberl, Derrick Knight, Cornelius Laffitte, Michael Rankins, John Tomlinson, Greg Tucker, Andy Wilkerson, Mark Williams and Wynard Williams.)

Native is plank owner: A Beatrice native is a crew member of the Navy’s newest ship and participated in its commissioning last month. Michael McPherson is a plank owner of the USS Mobile Bay, which was commissioned in Mobile on Feb. 21. A plank owner is a member of the ship’s original crew. The USS Mobile Bay is a guided missile cruiser. McPherson is a boatswain’s mate and supervises the deck.

61 YEARS AGO
APRIL 5, 1962

Hubert Atkins of Monroeville was the first patient to be registered at the new Monroe County Hospital, which was dedicated Sunday afternoon and officially opened Monday, according to Harold Pittman, administrator. The first baby was born Tuesday night at 10:40 to Mrs. David Hilburn of Frisco City.

MCHS To Play Opening Baseball Game Friday: Monroe County High School’s baseball team will play its opening game with Leroy Friday at 3 p.m. at Leroy High School. Nine lettermen returning to play for Monroeville this year include Tommy Waters, Freddie Biggs, Jimmy Wible, Tim Jones, Dale Cobb, Kenneth Gall, Richard Skinner, Louie Hayles and Bobby Knapp. Coach is Ronnie Dees.

Gary Scarbrough Wins Excel Spelling Contest: Gary Scarbrough, son of Mr. and Mrs. Winford Scarbrough of Route 2, Frisco City, was named first-place winner of the spelling bee held at Excel High School last Friday.
(Other winners included Steve Melton, second place; Tommy Jordan, third place; and Sammy Wiggins, fourth place.)

A petition is being signed by Mobilians this week in an effort to get the picture premiere of “To Kill a Mockingbird” in Mobile. The Downtown Theater is collecting names of interested people on a petition to send to Universal International Studios to let studio officials known how much Mobile countians would like to get the premiere there.
Written by Monroeville’s own Harper Lee, the book’s film adaptation stars Gregory Peck and Mary Badham, a nine-year-old from Birmingham, who will be making her film debut.

86 YEARS AGO
APRIL 1, 1937

Old Landmark Burns On Easter Sunday: The old residence known as the Charlie Broughton place, about a mile north of Monroeville, on the east side of the Franklin highway, was completely destroyed by fire shortly after noon Sunday. At the time of the fire, the house was occupied by Charlie Richardson. The burning of this old house marks the disappearance of the oldest landmark in this section. The residence was erected a short time following the War Between the States and was the oldest house near Monroeville which had not been remodeled.

Poems By Fourth And Fifth Grades Local School: The following poems were written by the children of the fourth and fifth grades of the Monroeville School:
“Springtime” - Spring is here, spring is here!
Now is the time to be gay.
Oh, how glad I will be
For it to soon be May!
Spring is here, spring is here!
How happy we are!
The birds are singing happily
Their sweet notes ring afar. – Nelle Lee

Dead Man Is Identified: Identification of the man whose body was found on Monday of last week floating midstream down the Alabama River at Claiborne was established two days later by the office of the sheriff. The man was found to be a resident of Marion Junction and following identification the body was shipped back to that town.

Mrs. R.L. Jones is a patient at the King Memorial Hospital in Selma where she underwent an operation on Monday.

111 YEARS AGO
APRIL 4, 1912

NOTICE: The freight and ticket offices of the Manistee & Repton Railroad at Manistee, Ala. has been moved from the post office building to the general office building. Parties desiring freight or information can obtain the same at the new location. – J.A. KAUFFMAN, General Manager.

The dwelling of Dr. L.W. Rikard near Peterman was destroyed by fire one night last week together with the greater portion of its contents.

The Journal is requested to say that there will be a meeting of Confederate Veterans at the courthouse on Saturday afternoon, April 13, for the purpose of selecting delegates to the Reunion at Macon, Ga. A full attendance is urged.

Editor, The Journal: Please announce that the regular examination of applicants for teacher’s certificates will be held at Monroeville beginning at 10 o’clock Monday, April 15, 1912 and continue three days. All applicants should be present by 9:30. – J.A. BARNES, County Superintendent.

Almost every week, The Journal receives one or more lengthy obituaries for gratuitous publication. While we should be glad to gratify our friends in this respect, circumstances do not warrant it. A rate of three cents per line (six words to line) is charged for all articles of this character. We trust friends will bear this in mind in the future and remit amount with the article.

The Mineola school closed on the 20^th ult., and quite a number of friends saw Miss Martin off Sunday.

136 YEARS AGO
APRIL 7, 1887

BORN to Mr. and Mrs. S.W. Yarbrough, of this place, on the 31^st ult., a daughter.

Mrs. Crawford, living about five miles from town on the Claiborne road, received a fall last Thursday, dislocating her shoulder. Dr. Wiggins was hastily summoned, under whose skillful treatment she was soon relieved.

Glendale: Mr. Lee White of Glendale had his dwelling house and all of its contents destroyed by fire last week. The fire is supposed to have originated in the kitchen.

DIED on Thursday, the 31^st ult., in Monroeville after a lingering illness, Mrs. DeLoach, mother of Capt. John DeLoach, in the 92^nd year of her age. She was buried at the Baptist Church graveyard at 10 o’clock last Saturday.

Mr. Martyn East, one of the oldest citizens of Monroe County, died at his home at East’s Store in Beat 5 on the 25^th ult. after a protracted illness. He was near 90 years old.

The Board of Education met Saturday.

Mr. James McGill of Mount Pleasant, one of the most successful farmers and stock raisers in the county, was in town Monday.

Sheriff Burns is suffering from an attack of rheumatism.

County Court was in session Monday, Hon. W.C. Sowell presiding.

George Singleton encourages readers to 'look at the beauty that abounds within our surroundings.'

George Buster Singleton

(For decades, local historian and paranormal investigator George “Buster” Singleton published a weekly newspaper column called “Somewhere in Time.” The column below, which was titled “We miss beauty in surroundings,” was originally published in the June 17, 1976 edition of The Monroe Journal in Monroeville, Ala.)

We have in our busy society hurried our way through one of the most beautiful times of the year.

In most instances, we have forgotten to stop and look at the beauty that abounds within our surroundings. We have not paused long enough to notice the peace that has been placed here for our asking.

In our hurried lives, we seek from time to time certain medicines to help us relax and unwind from the daily grind. In doing so we overlook the most important factors that the almighty has placed here to aid us in finding peace and contentment.

I will offer to you a solution that, if practiced, will add years to our lives and bring many hours of joy and peace to a troubled society.

Get away

First, an ideal place must be found where one can get away. You may want to carry your entire family, or maybe just go alone.

A high hill is an ideal place, where you can sit and watch the setting of the sun or hear the winds sigh through the trees.

Perhaps you would choose a place beside a stream. Sit for a while, listen to the dancing waters and feel the contentment that abides there.

Or sit for a while in a shady spot and clear your mind of all the things that tend to bother you. As you watch the changes take place around you, your mind will become noticeably serene.

Open your arms

If you have chosen a high hill for your secret place, and as you watch the setting sun cast its shadows across the evening sky, the beauty of the moment might tempt you to stand and open your arms to the heavens.

If you feel the urge, do not be ashamed. Stand and be heard, because the Creator who made all things beautiful and perfect will look down on you and you will rejoice for being there.

(Singleton, the author of the 1991 book “Of Foxfire and Phantom Soldiers,” passed away at the age of 79 on July 19, 2007. A longtime resident of Monroeville, he was born to Vincent William Singleton and Frances Cornelia Faile Singleton, during a late-night thunderstorm, on Dec. 14, 1927 in Marengo County, graduated from Sweet Water High School in 1946, served as a U.S. Marine paratrooper in the Korean War, worked as a riverboat deckhand, lived for a time among Apache Indians, moved to Monroe County on June 28, 1964 and served as the administrator of the Monroeville National Guard unit from June 28, 1964 to Dec. 14, 1987. He was promoted from the enlisted ranks to warrant officer in May 1972. For years, Singleton’s columns, titled “Monroe County history – Did you know?” and “Somewhere in Time” appeared in The Monroe Journal, and he wrote a lengthy series of articles about Monroe County that appeared in Alabama Life magazine. It’s believed that his first column appeared in the March 25, 1971 edition of The Monroe Journal. He also helped organize the Monroe County Museum and Historical Society and was also a past president of that organization. He is buried in Pineville Cemetery in Monroeville. The column above and all of Singleton’s other columns are available to the public through the microfilm records at the Monroe County Public Library in Monroeville. Singleton’s columns are presented here each week for research and scholarship purposes and as part of an effort to keep his work and memory alive.)